FILTER MEDIA AND ELEMENTS WITH FINE STAPLE FIBERS

Filter media, including those suitable for fuel and/or hydraulic applications, and related components, systems, and methods associated therewith are provided. In some embodiments, a filter media may include a non-woven layer comprising blend of glass fibers and polymeric staple fibers. The polymeric staple fibers may have a relatively small diameter. The non-woven layer comprising the fiber may have desirable properties such as one or more of a low micron rating for beta efficiency, high dust holding capacity, and/or a low resistance to fluid flow. In certain embodiments, the filter media may include two or more layers, at least one of the layers including a non-woven layer comprising the fiber blend. In some such cases, the filter media may include one or more layers that serve to enhance the overall properties of the filter media.